Hue and cry is what describes the mood which greeted the news of Ugandan Khalid Aucho of Gor Mahia missing the crown for the best Kenyan Premier League midfielder of the year 2015. The award went to the new kid on the block Eric Johanna of Mathare United.

The annual Kenyan Premier League gala night where the best performers of the year are recognized and rewarded took place on Wednesday 9 at a hotel in Nairobi.

“The boy (Eric Johanna) is good yes, but the title is too big for him. You’ve killed that boy slowly for sure. He has not even been a regular at Mathare United for the better part of the season.” Francis Xavier, AFC Leopards Team Manager said.

“I will leave it here. Those who have watched KPL all season know there has to be a quota system.” Odindo Ayieko, former Daily Nation journalist said.

There are however those who believe Johanna deserved the award, “Johanna actually scored more goals than Khalid. Honestly I don’t think there is anything Aucho did that he (Johanna) didn’t do.” Samuel Gakunyi posted on KPL CHAT.

Not to take anything from Eric, the soft spoken winger has been amazing on his second stint in the top flight football scoring seven goals for the Slum Boys. His efforts however could only manage Mathare a distant ninth finish on the KPL log.

This was also the year the MYSA graduate made a big break to the national team Harambee Stars – playing a vital role in the World Cup Qualifiers as well as the just ended CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup where he started four matches.

Khalid on the other hand was the anchor at the center of Gor Mahia’s midfield helping them clinch the season curtain raiser DSTV Super Cup, league title unbeaten, and the KPL Top 8 title – he was a dominant figure when K’Ogalo reached the finals of CECAFA Kagame Cup finals for the first time in almost a decade losing only to the winner Azam FC of Tanzania.

Even though he scored less than three goals for K’Ogalo, Khalid’s overall contribution to the huge success realized by the team this season was invaluable, his partnership with Collins Okoth was unmatched in the league.

The former Tusker FC man was also a regular for Uganda Cranes, the only team in this region to have qualified for the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

His short temper which landed him on the wrong side of the referee on several occasions mainly due to protest was however his main undoing – he missed a match due to suspension for having been cautioned five times.

Other Winners:

Player of the Year:

1.Michael Olunga (Gor Mahia)

Golden Boot:

1.Jesse Were (Tusker )
2.Michael Olunga (Gor Mahia)
3.John Mark Makwata (Ulinzi Stars)

Midfielder of the Year:

1.Eric Johanna (Mathare United) – Winner
2.Khalid Aucho (Gor Mahia) – runner up
3.Bernard Mang’oli (AFC Leopards) – second runner up

Defender of the Year:

1.Karim Nizigiyimana (Gor Mahia)
2.Musa Mohamed (Gor Mahia)
3.Geoffrey Kokoyo (Ulinzi Stars)

Goalkeeper of the Year:

1.Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia)
2. Farouk Shikalo
3. Jairus Adira (Chemelil Sugar)

Coach of the Year:

1.Frank Nuttal (Gor Mahia)
2.Robert Matano(Ulinzi Stars)
3.Twahir Muhidin (Bandari)

Team Manager of the Year:

(Tied)1. David Mwangi (Ulinzi Stars) and Jolawi Abondo(Gor Mahia)
2nd also tied Moses Nyalik western Stima and Nevile Pudo (City Stars)

New Young Player of the Year:

1.George Mandela (Muhoroni Youth) – winner
2.Ebrima Sanneh (City Stars) – Runner Up
3.Alfred Ndonye (Mathare United) – second runner up

Fair Play Player of the Year:

1.John Baraza (Sofapaka) – winner
2.Vincent Nyaberi (Thika United) – runner up
3.Alfred Onyango (Tusker FC) – second runner up

Fair Play Team of the Year:

1.Western Stima
2.Mathare United
3.Sony Sugar

Most Improved Centre Referee:

1.Raymond Ochieng
2.Judy Muhonja
3.Micheal Iluve

Most Improved Assistant referee:

1.Stephen Adeya –Winner
2.Judith Wamoyo – runner up
3.Beth Wambui – second runner up

Chairman’s Award:

Phoebe Amayunzu and Elizabeth Maragu

@bonfaceosano

Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com